(ENG)
3/4 Peace was founded by the Belgian saxophone and flute player Ben Sluijs. At his side there are 2 younger musicians making entrance: the Belgian-Peruvian pianist Christian Mendoza and the French bassist Brice Soniano. A trio setting like this is quite original and rather rare. With memories of the more intimate sound of similar trios as Giuffrey/Bley/Swallow or the trio Konitz/Mehldau/Haden, also 3/4 Peace has unmistakable a sound of his own.

Trying to describe them is not so simple. Although the three men have a thorough knowledge of the jazz tradition, they are equally inspired in their improvisations and compositions by among others, the European classical music and jazz-culture.

These men play both standard schemes and free improvisation. There are arrangements of themes from classical music, but they write and play still mainly own original music. They witness a serious quest for the development of both the individual voice as the group sound, in which their three voices are equal.

A rhythmic bass line by Brice Soniano, supportive yet lightweight and precise can, for example, carry some jumpy lines of Christian Mendoza while the alto of Ben Sluijs from there tries to twist in the air. The trio can suddenly split into duos, drawn-out meditative solo moments, energetic trio improvisations …

A large part of the repertoire consists of lyrical melodies and strong harmonic written compositions, though there is always the possibility and the necessity to be able to let go these more solid forms. This way of working and playing has been successfully recorded on this first, very well received vinyl release!!!